Fulling and washing machine



y 19, D. GESSNER FULLING AND WASHING MACHINE Filed April '7, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 fidenz ar May 19, 1931. D. GESSNER FULLING AND WASHING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April '7, 1950 Jadcd fieaan' May 19, 1931. GESSNER 1,806,342

FULLING AND WASHING MACHINE Filed April 7, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 W essner Patented May 19, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FULLING AND WASHING MACHINE Application filed. April 7, 1930. Serial No. 442,088.

application Serial No. 150.749, filed by me November 26, 1926.

It is the object of my present invention to provide improved mechanism for performing continuous fulling and washing opera- 1@ tions on fabrics and particularly for performing such operations alternately and repeatedly. My improved machine may be utilized, however, to perform either a fulling or a washing operation independently and re peatedly.

A further object is to provide a machine in which the fabric is treated at full width and by which either lateral or longitudinal shrinkage may be accomplished and controlled.

A particular feature of the invention relates to the provision of new and improved devices for performing the fulling operation. I also provide means by which the fabric may be effectively moistened and by which it may be quickly and easily cleared of dirt and soa after the fulling operation thereon.

y improved mechanism permits the operator to inspect the fabric and to determine the progress of the fulling and Washing operations without stopping the machine or removing the fabric therefrom.

My invention further relates to arrangements and combinations of parts which will be hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

A preferred form of the invention and certain modifications thereof are shown in the drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a sectional side elevation of one form of my improved fulling and washing machine;

Fig. 2 is a sectional side elevation of a modified construction;

Fig. 3 is a sectional side elevation of certain parts shown in Fig. 1, with the addition of certain driving and adjusting mechanism;

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are partial perspective views of different forms of fulling rolls;

Fig. 7 is an end elevation of certain parts shown in Fig. 2 and showing adjusting mechanism therefor;

Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are partial front elevations of additional forms of fulling rolls;

Figs. 11 and 12 are detail sectional elevations showing the spraying and suction devices in operative and inoperative positions respectively 13 is a partial end elevation of a rotary carrier showing a modified arrangement of fulling rolls, and

Fig. 14 is a detail side elevation of certain driving connections, looking in the direction of the arrow 14 in Fig. 3.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 3, l have shown a combined fulling and wash- 1ng machine in which the cloth C is supported during the fulling operation at full width and in loose transversely extending folds, the folded cloth being deposited upon a traveling apron or conveyor 10. The apron 10 is mounted upon a series of rollers 11, 12, 13 and 14, any one or more of which may be positively rotated.

A pair of carriers or drums 20 are mounted for rotation above the path of travel of the apron 10 and each carrier supports a plurahty of fulling rolls 22 spaced about its periphery. The rolls 22 are preferably mounted for free rotation in hearings on the carrier 20.

A driven roll 24 is preferably mounted in an elevated osition between the carriers 20 and above t e guide-r011 12. The roll 24 serves to raise the cloth C from the apron 10, unfolding the cloth and thereafter depositing the cloth in freshly folded condition upon the apron 10 between the rolls 12 and 13. The roll 24 is rotated in timed relation to the travel of the apron 10 by mechanism to be described.

The apron 10 moves at relatively slow speed under the carriers or drums 20, and provision is made for varying the rate of travel of the apron relative to the speed of rotation of the carriers.

In Figs. 3 and 14 I have indicated one form of variable slow-speed driving connections between the carrier 20 and the roll 13.

These connections comprise a cross shaft 30 3.

connected by bevel gears 31 to the shaft of the right hand carrier 20. The shaft 30 rotates a worm 32 which engages a worm wheel 33 (Fig. 14) on a shaft 34. A belt 35 connects a conical drmn 36 on the shaft 34 with a similar drum 37 on a shaft 38 which supports the roll 13. The belt 35 may be shifted axially to vary the speed relation between the shafts 34 and 38.

By these connections, the apron 10 is driven at relatively slow speed and the speed may be increased or deereased as desired. Such variation in speed is desirable to enable the machine to act upon pieces of cloth of varying length, as a shorter piece of cloth must be passed under the falling rolls 22 at a faster rate than a long piece of cloth. in order to have sufficient free cloth to complete the circuit of the machine.

The roll 24 may be driven from the carrier 20 by an intermediate shaft 39 connected at its lower end by a bevel gear 40 to one of the bevel gears 31 previously described.

Referring now particularly to Fig. 1, the cloth C as it leaves the fulling mechanism passes upward between spreader rolls 40 and 41 and also passes between swivel rolls 42 and a swivel bar 43. The spreader rolls 40 and 41 remove wrinkles and folds from the cloth and the swivel rolls 42 and bar43 balance the travel of the cloth and prevent it from running out of line toward either edge. The cloth then passes over aguideroll 44 and between upper and lower squeeze rolls 45, which are positioned above a pan 46 suitably provided with a drain 47.

A spray pipe 50 is preferably provided to moisten the cloth between the guide-roll 44 and squeeze rolls 45, and an extractor or suction pile 51 is also preferably provided just below the path of travel of the cloth.

Suitable provision is made for controlling the water supply of the spray pipe 56 and also for turning the suction pipe 51 from the upright operative position indicated in Fig. 12 to the inoperative position indicated in Fig. 11. lVhen in operative position, the elongated slotted nozzle portion of the suction pipe 51 preferably projects slightly above the normal path of travel of the cloth C. as indicated in Fig. 12, but when in inoperative position, all parts of the pipe 51 are out of the path of travel of the cloth.

As the cloth leaves the squeeze rolls 45, it passes over a guide-roll 54 and thence downward to a conveyer or apron 55 mounted on rolls 56 and 57, one or both of which may be rotated at a desired speed.

The upper run of the conveyer 55 passes through a soaking tank 58 in which the folded cloth is immersed and thoroughly soaked. A series of guide-rolls 60 are mounted for free rotation in guide-bars 61 and are also freely movable upward but are limited in their downward movement by the connecting lower ends of the guide-bars 61. The rolls 61 cause the folded cloth and the apron 55 to follow the concave outline of the bottom of the soaking tank 58.

As the cloth C is drawn out of the tank 58, it passes upward between spreader rolls 62 and is drawn between swivel rolls 63 and a swivel bar 64. The cloth then passes over guide-rolls 65 and between upper and lower squeeze rolls 66 positioned above a drain-pan 67. The cloth then passes between the spraypipe 50 and suction tube 51 and drawn downward between driven guide or draft rolls 68 to a soap box 70. The cloth passes under an idle or guided-011.71 in the soap box 70 then passes upward around a guide-bar 72 and between the lower squeeze roll 73 and a middle squeeze roll 74. The cloth then passes under a second or idle guideroll 75 in the soap-box and thence upward over a guide-roll 76 and between the middle squeeze roll 74 and an upper squeeze roll 77. In its passage through the soap-box, the cloth is thus twice immersed in the soap solution and is twice operated on by the driven squeeze rolls.

After leaving the squeeze rolls, the cloth (7 passes over a series of guide-rolls 80, 81 and 82 and between swivel rolls 83 and a swivel bar 84. The cloth is drawn forward by a draft roll 85 and is guided downward by a roll 86, from which point it is deposited in folds on the apron l0 and is then presented for further action by the fulling mechanism.

Additional spray pipes 50 and suction tubes 51 may be supplied at desired points along the path of travel of the cloth. hen it is desired to use the fulling mechanism only, the cloth is passed direct from the squeeze rolls 45 to the guide-roll 8 1, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1, and when it is desired to use the washing mechanism only, the cloth passed direct from the upper guide-roll to the squeeze rolls 45.

I am thus able to operate the falling and washing mechanism successively and repeatedly, or to operate either the fullinp; or the wglashing mechanism separately and repeate ly.

The peripheral speed of the-carriers 20 is much greater than the rate of movement of the apron 10, so that the fulling rolls'22 deliver a great number of blows to the folded cloth during each passage of the cloth under a carrier or drum 20.

By varying the. form of the falling rolls somewhat, different fulling efleets may be produced. In F igs. 4. 5 and 6 I have indicated a roll 87 (F ig. 4) having eight longitudinal ribs or flutes, a roll 88 (Fig. 5) havin six ribs or flutes, and a roll 89 (Fig. 6) having a smooth surface. These rolls may be assembled in any desired combination in the carriers 20.

In Fig. 1 all of the rolls are of the eightfiuted kind shown in Fig. 4, while in Fig. 3 the rolls are arranged in successive groups comprising one each of three kinds of rolls. When thus arranged, the successive rolls react slightly differently on the folded cloth and the fulling operation is accordingly varied.

It is sometimes desirable to run the cloth continuously through the combination machine, but to interrupt the action of the fulling rolls on the cloth. For this purpose I provide means for raising and lowering the upper run of the apron 10 as indicated in Fig. 3. where I have shown the guide-roll 12 mounted in bearing boxes 90 slidable in guide frames 91. The boxes 90 are supported on the upper ends of screws 92, threaded in the lower ends of the frames 91 and slidable in worm gears 93 but rotatable therewith.

The gears 93 at the front and back of the machine are engaged by worms 94 on a cross shaft 95 which may be manually rotated to lower the apron 10 to the dotted line position indicated in Fig. 3 or .to raise the apron to the full line operative position.

When the apron is lowered, the folded cloth is out of contact with the fulling rolls 22 and the falling portion of the machine acts simply as a supplementary washing mechanlsm.

In the construction shown in Figs. 2 and 7, the machine is in general similar to the machine previously described. Separate aprons 100 and 101 are pivoted, however, for the upper and lower rotating drums or carriers 102 and 103 on which the fulling rolls are mounted.

The cloth is delivered from the draft roll 105 to the apron 100 at the right hand side of the upper rotating carrier 102. The cloth after passing under the carrier on the apron 100 is drawn upward by a draft roll 106 from which it is deposited on the lower apron 101 at the left-hand side of the lower carrier 103.

A stationary receiving trough 110 may be provided to receive the cloth from the lower apron 101, from which point the cloth is drawn upward through spreader rolls 40 and 41 and is delivered to the washing mechanism as previously described.

If the fulling mechanism only is to be used. the cloth may be drawn direct from the upper squeeze roll 45 to the guide roll 82, and if the washing mechanism only is to be used, the cloth may be drawn from the guide roll 81 to the squeeze roll 45.

One important difference in operation is attained by the construction shown in Figs. 2 to 7. Reference to Fig. 2 will make it apparent that the fulling rolls on the upper carrier 102 act upon one face of the cloth C, while therolls on the lower carrier 103 act upon the opposite face of the cloth. With certain fabrics this alternating operation is of substantial advantage.

As in the previous form, it may be desirable to interrupt the operation of either the upper or the lower sets of fulling rolls, and for this purpose I provide means for raising or lowering the aprons 100 and 102 relatively to the fulling rolls. The mechanism is substantially as described with reference to Fig. 3, with the exception that provision is made by bevel gear and chain or belt connections so that both ends of the rolls at each end of the apron will be simultaneously raised or lowered. Duplicate mechanism may be provided for the upper and lower aprons 100 and 101, and if desired the operating mechanism for raising and lowering the two aprons 100 and 101 may be connected for simultaneous action.

In Fig. 7, I have indicated the use of fulling rolls, some of which are corrugated or grooved ciroumferentially rathen than axially, such rolls being shown at 112 (Fig. 8) and 113 (Fig. 9), which a smooth roll is shown at 114 (Fig. 10).

It will be noted that the corrugations in the roll 113 are staggered with respect to the corrugations in the roll 112, so that successive rolls 112 and 113 will act on different portions of the folded cloth as it passes under a fulling cylinder.

It is found in the operation of my improved machine that rolls which are ribbed or fluted longitudinally, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, will effect substantial lengthwise shrinkage of the fabric, while rolls corrugated circuniferentially, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, will effect substantially widthwise shrinkage.

It will be understood that any of the rolls shown in Figs. 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10 may be used in any desired combinations in either form of my improved fulling machine. If a combination of plain, longitudinally fluted, and circumferentially grooved rolls are used, as indicated in Fig. 13, the cloth will be subjected to a combined lengthwise and widthwise shrinkage, whereas by selecting longitudinally fluted or circumferentially grooved rolls the shrinkage may be increased lengthwise or widthwise as desired.

The combination of closely adjacent spray pipes 50 and extractor or suction tubes 51 serves two very useful purposes. In wetting up a piece of cloth which is more or less permeated with natural oil or grease, it is found that the cloth absorbs moisture somewhat slowly and that a considerable period elapses before the cloth is thoroughly saturated throughout its entire thickness.

By applying water in the form of a spray through the spray pipes 50 and by drawing this water into and through the fabric by the draft of the suction tubes 51, the operation of wetting-up the fabric is very much facilitated and the fabric becomes thoroughly moistened in a very much shorter period of of the spray pipes and suction tubes removes the soap and dirt from the fabric very much faster than it can be removed by immersion and the action of presser or squeeze rolls alone, and it is furtl'iermore found that dirt in the middle thickness of the fabric is much more effectively removed.

After a fulling operation has been performed, water may be sprayed against the fabric from the various spray pipes 50 positioned in different parts of the machine.

If the cloth, afterfulling, is thus sprayed with water and again passed through the fulling mechanism with the fulling rolls inoperative, the fulling mechanism will act as an additional washing mechanism squeezing the Wat-er from the cloth and assisting in the extraction of soap therefrom. This action is also much assisted by employing the extractor tubes 51 immediately behind the squeeze rolls, which tubes are under strong air suction and extract a large amount of dirt and impurities from the innermost parts of the cloth, performing this operation more satisfactorily than it can be accomplished alone by the pressure of the squeeze rolls or by the pounding or kneading action of'the fulling mechanism.

The action of the fulling mechanism may be modified as previously stated by selecting different types of fulling rolls, and it. may also be modified by raising or lowering the aprons so as to vary the effective contact of the rolls with the folded cloth.

The fulling operation may also be modified by varying the rate of travel of the aprons by shifting the belt 35 (Fig. 14).

It will be understood that the driving mechanism shown in Figs. 3 and 14 is equally applicable to the aprons shown in Figs. 2' and ,7, this driving mechanism being illustrative only.

By the use of my improved machine, fulling and washing operations may be performed most satisfactorily upon woolen, worsted, or other fabrics, and furthermore the cloth is at all times readily accessible to the operator who may inspect the progress of the fulling or washing operation and may regulate or control the same as desired without interrupting the operation. of the machine.

Having thus described my invention and the advantages thereof, I do not wish to be limited to the details herein disclosed, otherwise than as set forth in the claims;

, What I claim is I 1. In a fulling machine, a movable supporting surface adapted to receive cloth at full width andtransversely folded, a plurality of fulling rolls, a carrier in which said rolls are mounted in a circular series, means to rotate said carrier and said rolls with said carrier, said rolls engaging the folds of cloth on said supporting surface and having a rolling movement in engagement therewith.

2. The combination in a fulling machine as set forth in claim 1. in which the carrier is rotated in one direction, and the rolls are rotated in the opposite direction.

3. The combination in a fulling machine as set forth in claim 1, in which means is provided to move the cloth supporting surface toward and away from the path of travel of said rolls.

4. The combination in a fulling machine as set forth in. claim 1, in whichm eans is provided to move the cloth supporting surface toward and away from the path of travel of said rolls, said means being effective to raise and lower said surface at both ends of said rolls simultaneously.

5. The combination in a fulling machine as forth in claim 1, in which certain of the rolls areformed with alternating grooves and raised portions effective to promote shrinkage of the fabric.

6. The combination in a fulling machine as set forth in claim 1, in which certain of the rolls are ribbed longitudinally to promote lengthwise shrinkage of the fabric.

7. The combination in a fulling machine as set forth in claim 1, in which certain of the engaged by the fulling rolls in said two carmere.

9. The combination in a fulling machine as set forth in claim 8, in which means is provided for supporting the movable surface between the two carriers and for moving said supporting means toward and from the plane of the carriers.

10. In. a fulling machine, a plurality of fulling rolls, rotary carriers in which said rolls are mounted in separate series, means to rotate said carriers, and means to present opposite faces of the cloth to the rolls in successive carriers.

11. The combination in a fulling machine as set forth in claim 10, in which a separate supporting apron is provided for each carrier.

12. The combination in a fulling machine as set forth in claim 10, in which a separate supporting apron is provided for each carrier, and in which each apron is separately adjustable toward and away from its carmen 13. In a fulling machine, a plurality of fulling rolls, rotary carriers in which said rolls are mounted in separate series, means to rotate said carriers, means to present opposite faces of the cloth to the rolls in successive carriers, and means to unfold and refold the cloth between said presentations.

14. In a fulling machine, a plurality of fulling rolls, a rotatable carrier therefor, means to rotate said carrier, means to support a piece of cloth adjacent the path of movement of said rolls, means to draw the cloth through saidniachine, means to spray the cloth as it is drawn through the fulling mechanism, and means to draw the moisture through and out of the sprayed fabric.

15. In a fulling machine, a plurality of fulling rolls, a rotatable carrier therefor, means to rotate said carrier, means to support a piece of cloth adjacent the path of movement of said rolls, means to draw the cloth through said machine, means to spray the cloth as it is drawn through the fulling mechanism, and means to draw the moisture through and out of the sprayed fabric, said latter means being movable to operative and inoperative positions with respect to the cloth.

16. In a machine for finishing cloth, a transporting apron, means to deposit cloth in transverse folds thereon, a rotatable carrier, and a plurality of fulling rolls rotatably mounted about the periphery of said carrier, said carriercausing said rolls to successively engage the folds of the cloth.

17. In a machine for finishing cloth, a transporting apron, means to deposit cloth in transverse folds thereon, a pair of rotatable. carriers, a plurality of fulling rolls rotatably mounted about the periphery of said two rotating carriers, said carriers causin said rolls to successively engage the folds of the cloth, and means to unfold and refold the cloth between its engagement by the rolls of said two cylinders.

18. In a machine for finishing cloth, a transportin apron, means to deposit cloth in transverse 'olds thereon, a rotatable carrier, and a plurality of fulling rolls, rotatably mounted about the periphery of said carrier, said carrier being rotated to cause said rolls to successively engage the folds of the cloth and to cause said apron and cloth to follow a downward concave path while in engagement with said rolls.

19. In a machine for finishing cloth, a soapmg tank, a pair of squeeze rolls for pressing li uid soap through the fabric, fullmg re] s or kneading the soapy fabric, means to remove the wrinkles from the fabric caused by the fulling rolls, and ,means to smooth and flatten the fabric and to return it to the fulling rolls for repeated and continuous treatment.

20. In a machine for finishing cloth, fulling rolls, a soaking tank, a pair of squeeze rolls to press liquid from the fabric passlng between them, a spray pipe to discharge water upon one side of the fabric, a suction device at the opposite side of the fabric to draw water through it, a soaping tank, a pair of squeeze rolls to press soap through the fabric before its passage to the fulling rolls, and means to deliver the fabric from the fulling rolls free from wrinkles before returning it to the soaking tank for repeated and continuous operation.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature.

DAVID GESSNER. 

